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ATMIYA VIDYA NIKETAN,

AHMEDABAD

SESSION: 2021-22

BIOLOGY PROJECT
Effect of light on plant growth movement

Submitted to Submitted by
Ms. Pinal Kaneria Krish Chaudhary

School Stamp Teacher Signature Principal

Signature
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INDEX
SR. CONTENTS PAGE NO
NO.

1 Certificate 3

2 Acknowledgement 4

3 Declaration 5

4 Abstract 6

5 Introduction 7

6 Investigatory Project-1 8
7 Investigatory Project-2 12
8 Scientific Principle Involved 15
9 Photos 16
10 References 17
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Certificate

This is to certify that KRISH CHAUDHARY student of class

XI SCI has successfully completed the research on the
project Effect of light on plant growth movement under the
guidance of PINAL KANERIA during year 2021-22. The
report is the result of his efforts and endeavors.

Name Signature of supervisor

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
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My sincere thanks goes to Ms. Moutoshi Sharma, our principal,

for her co –ordination in extending very possible support for the
completion of this project.

I would like to express a deep sense of thanks and gratitude my

project guide Pinal Kaneria for guiding me immensely through
the course of the project. His constructive advice and constant
motivation have been responsible for the successful completion of
the project.

I also thanks to my parents for their motivation and support. I must

thanks to my classmates for their timely help and support for
compilation of this project.

Last but not the least, I would like to thank all those who had
helped directly or indirectly toward the completion of this project.

Krish Chaudhary
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DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this investigatory project entitled “Effect of

light on plant growth movement” has been carried out by own
efforts and fact arrived at my observation under the guidance and
motivation by the subject teacher Pinal Kaneria

Krish Chaudhary
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Abstract
Tropisms are growth-mediated plant movements that help plants to respond to changes in
environmental stimuli. The availability of water and light, as well as the presence of a constant
gravity vector, are all environmental stimuli that plants sense and respond to via directed
growth movements.
The plant response to gravity and the response to unidirectional light have long been shown to
be interconnected growth phenomena. Here, we discuss the similarities in these two processes,
as well as the known molecular mechanisms behind the tropistic responses.
We also highlight research done in a microgravity environment in order to decouple two
tropisms through experiments carried out in the absence of a significant unilateral gravity
vector.

INTRODUCTION
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Plants live in dynamic, ever-changing environments. To survive and thrive in these

environments, plants have developed survival strategies to cope with the changing conditions
(temperature, water, sunlight availability, etc.).
Due to their stationary nature, plants have evolved growth-mediated movements that help them
to adapt to changes in their surrounding environment.
These directed growth movements help ensure the fitness and survival of the plant. For
instance, plants generally direct root growth down into the soil to help anchor the plant and
absorb water and nutrients while directing shoot growth upward toward a source of light.
Movement of plant parts in response to a unidirectional light stimulus is called phototropism. Some
parts of the plant e.g., stem moves towards the source of light. These organs are called positively
phototropic.
Some other organs e.g., roots move away from light and they are called negatively phototropic.
In a plant, leaves are placed at right angles, to the direction of light source, and are called transversely
phototropic or plageo-phototropic. 
The curvature of the stem tip is explained by the unequal distribution of Auxin on either side of the
light-induced stem.
Light directly influences plant growth and flowering by inducing photosynthesis and feeding
plants energy.
Plants are dependent on light to generate food, induce the growing cycle and allow for healthy
development

INVESTIGATORY PROJECT-1
AIM
 To study the effect of light on plant growth movement
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MATERIALS REQUIRED
 Two pots
 Soil
 Mustard seeds
 Heliotropic chamber or a big card board box with a hole in one side
 Water
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
1. Prepare two pots by filling them with soil.
2. Sow a few (2-3) mustard seeds in each of them.
3. Provide the conditions necessary for germination i.e., oxygen, moisture and optimum
temperature.
4. Allow the seeds to germinate and grow in both the pots.
5. When the seedlings become 2-3 inches tall, place one of the pots into the helotronie
chamber or card board box with a hole on the side.
6. Keep the other pot in open under direct sunlight.
7. Observe the plant after three days in both the pots.

OBSERVATION
 The stem of seedlings in the pot kept in the heliotropic chamber or box, bend towards the
source of light (i.e., towards the hole in the chamber or box), while the seedling grows
straight in the pot kept in open under direct sunlight.

CONCLUSION
 Stem is positively phototrophic, therefore, it shows bending when given unidirectional
light. The bending occurs because of more growth on shaded side of the stem due to
accumulation of more auxin on that side.

INVESTIGATORY PROJECT-2
AIM
 To study the role of shoot apices on the phototropic movement in plants
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MATERIALS REQUIRED
 Three Petri dishes
 Cotton wool
 Wheat grains
 Blade
 Aluminum foil
 Heliotropic chamber or card board box with a hole on one side
 Water

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
1. Prepare three Petri dishes by placing moist cotton pad in cotton pad in each of them and
mark as A, B and C.
2. Sow 4-5 wheat grains in each Petri dish and allow them to grow.
3. When the seedlings are 2-3 cm in height, cut the apices of seedlings (coleoptiles) Petri dish
A.
4. Cover the apices of seedling of Petri dish B, with aluminum foil to be them in dark.
5. Leave the seedlings of Petri dish C to serve as control.
6. Now place all these Petri dishes in the heliotropic chamber or card board box with a hole
on one side.
7. Observe the seedlings after 3 days.

OBSERVATION
 The apices of seedlings in Petri dish C bend towards the light. Whereas the seedlings in
Petri dishes A and B remain unchanged. It is because the apices of seedlings in Petri dish
A were cut and those of Petri dish B were covered with aluminum foil and they could not
perceive the light hence no bending.
CONCLUSION
 Stem is positively phototrophic, therefore, it shows bending when given unidirectional
light. The bending occurs because of more growth on shaded side of the stem due to
accumulation of more auxin on that side.

Scientific Principle Involved

In the effect of light on plant growth movement and the role of shoot apices on the phototropic
movement in plants is PHOTOTROPISM.
What is Phototropism?
If you put a plant in a window, you may notice that, after a few days, it has bent toward that
window. This is because the plant needs sunlight to make energy, so it grows toward the light.
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The growth of a plant toward any stimulus is called tropism, and the growth of a plant toward a
light stimulus is called phototropism.
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PHOTOS
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REFERENCES
1. Comprehensive Laboratory Manual in Biology class-11
2. NCERT Biology Textbook for Class 11
3. https://www.biologydiscussion.com/experiments/experiments-on-plant-movement-botany/
57249
4. https://www.education.com/science-fair/article/effect-color-light-phototropism/
5.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phototropism#:~:text=Phototropism%20is%20one%20of
%20the,light%20is%20called%20negative%20phototropism.&text=The%20combination%20of
%20phototropism%20and,grow%20in%20the%20correct%20direction.